A private schools' group has urged politicians to refrain from politicising the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum.
Kenya Private Schools Association national vice chairperson Solomon Munene said they want politicians to be mindful of their words as they can cause ‘grievous harm’ to the education sector.
A group of politicians allied to Kenya Kwanza had criticised the CBC, saying it gives parents a lot of stress owing to the many requirements.
They promised to scrap it if they take the leadership of the country.
But Munene said the government has invested a lot of resources and effort towards CBC implementation and reverting to the 8-4-4 system would be practically impossible.
However, he and other stakeholders called for the system's review, so it can fit within the local learning environment.
“We are not supporting the scrapping of the CBC because there is too much effort and resources that has been channelled towards its implementation. We are only calling for its improvement so that it can fit within the Kenyan context and be in tandem with the infrastructure available,” Munene said
Speaking on Friday, the vice chairperson said a proposal to revert to the 8-4-4 system was unfortunate as it would cause confusion among teachers, pupils and parents.
“The pioneers of the CBC are in grade 5. It would be impossible and insensible to have those pupils revert to the old education system as they have not been taught and prepared to sit for the national exams under the 8-4-4 system.”
He spoke in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga county, during a KPSA central region meeting.
Munene urged the government to support private schools so they too can successfully implement the junior secondary school system.
He said many schools lack the financial muscle to put up the infrastructure required towards the fulfilment of the new secondary school model.
“We are expected to establish, among others, home science, music and science labs, which are a bit easier for public schools to put up compared to us because we have limited funds.”
Munene proposed that the government advance to private schools a loan that would be repayable at an affordable interest rate so they can establish the required facilities.
The association officials also urged the government to disburse the relief funds it had promised them to keep schools afloat.
“Now that we are gradually picking up the pieces after experiencing a tough Covid season, we plead that the government disburse the Sh7 billion relief fund it had pledged to the private schools as that will come in handy towards the full revival of our schools.”
KPSA former national chairperson John Kabue said they are willing to implement the junior secondary school.
He assured parents that there is nothing to worry about as much has been accomplished towards a successful implementation of the new education dispensation.
“We are on an upward trajectory, and we hope that the few issues we have raised will be well-handled so we can move in the same intensity as the public schools.”
The former chairperson said CBC has a lot to offer and it should not be politicised.
“Let them consult us so that we can enlighten them on the many reasons we need to continue with CBC as opposed to reverting to the old system. We don’t want it to be used as a political tool.”
Group secretary Rosebella Ojiambo said they would continue to have a close working relationship with the government for easier implementation of the new system.
